You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

This year, we’re going to traipse around the stars and all things astrological.

There are 12 signs of the zodiac and seven categories from which there will be tasks assigned. Those categories are:

Zodiac Category Spreadsheet

Month – Each astrological sign starts in one month and ends in the next. For this challenge, we will focus on the first month for each sign.

Symbol – Each astrological sign is recognized by a symbol.

Element – Each astrological sign is represented by an element. Although there are only 4 elements, there will be individual tasks specific to each sign. You are not allowed to interchange them. For example, you may not use the fire task for Aries and count it as the fire task for Sagittarius. You’ll get burned.

North American Zodiac Signs - The website shows different signs depending on which hemisphere you were born. I’ve chosen to use the northern hemisphere just to keep it simple. I’ve slotted them into their equivalent zodiac sign.

Stone – According to the Native American system, there are stones associated with each sign.

Superhero! – I’ll bet you didn’t know that each sign has a superhero! Well, they don’t. Because several people asked for a year long challenge with superheroes, I arbitrarily assigned a superhero to each sign according to an attribute that made me think they might be a good fit. That took superhuman effort, as did coming up with the tasks for them.

Actors – I waded through long lists and selected one actor with birthdays during each sign.

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The Challenge

The challenge is to read 12 books throughout the year. You must select and read one book from each zodiac sign to complete the challenge. You may select from any of the seven categories, as long as you remember that you need to have each zodiac sign represented. If you wish, you may restrict yourself to one category. For example, you may choose to read all twelve tasks assigned to the superheroes.

Badges

There is a total of 84 tasks listed, so 84 books.

Badge One – Challenge Badge = 12 books completed. This is the only level you need to complete the challenge. Any additional reading is optional.

Badge Two – First Additional Badge = will be awarded when you read an additional 2 rounds of the zodiac signs (24 additional books). The same rules apply – each round includes one book from each zodiac sign. When you have completed this badge, you will have read a total of 36 books.

Badge Three – Second Additional Badge – will be awarded when you read 2 more rounds of the zodiac signs (24 additional books). The same rules apply – each round includes one book from each zodiac sign. When you have completed this badge, you will have read a total of 60 books.

Badge Four – will be awarded when the remaining 2 rounds have been read. All 84 tasks have been read.

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General Rules: (please read carefully as there are some changes)

1. You must read 12 different books, one from each zodiac sign. Each book is exclusive to one task. You may not repeat tasks. The same rule applies to optional rounds.

2. You may not combine books with the Monthly Challenge.

3. The challenge is from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. You must start and complete your books within the year AND within the time that you start the challenge. If you are late starting the challenge, you may not count books prior to your start date. For example, if you start May 1st, you may only count books read between May 1 – Dec 31.

4. Books must be at least 175 pages long. They may be any format (audiobook, ebook, hardcover/paperback). In the case of ebooks & audiobooks, use the hardcover edition to determine page length.. If there is no hardcover edition, use the paperback edition. From the book page, select “all editions”, then select “hardcover”. If no hardcover editions, select “paperback”. If more than one edition, sort by “num ratings” and go with the first listing. If you are still unable to identify, ask for a ruling.

5. Books may be any genre unless specified in a task. In the case of graphic novels or books consisting of a lot of pictures, the text must be equivalent to that of a 175-page book.

6. If a task refers to the title, the subtitle or series title doesn’t count unless specified in a task.

7. If a task refers to the cover, it will be based on the cover of the issue you read.

8. You will need to start your own reporting thread in this folder to track your progress. There will be a thread set up to report your success in completing the challenge and to request your badge.

Months:
For each zodiac sign, read a book that is set at least 50% during the specified month, OR the specified month is in the title. Note: Exact words are required.

ARIES

Month- March

Symbol- Ram- truck on cover/protagonist drives a truck

Element - Fire- cover is 70% Red

NA Zodiac: Falcon- set in Iraq, Syria or Turkey
Spoils Brian Van Reet
Pages:272 p. Date read:23/2/2018 Rating:3 stars
Set in Iraq
Stone- Opal- set between 1750 and 1850

Superhero- Ares- shelved as mythology/ God(s) in title

Actor- Tim Curry

TAURUS

Month- April

Symbol- From https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1... / western on the main page

Element - cover is 70% black

NA Zodiac: Beaver- set in Canada/Canadian author

Stone- Jasper- Illness is a major theme
My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult
448 p. Read 1/3/2018 Rating: 4 stars

Superhero- Rhino- Villian in title/series titles OK

Actor- Audrey Hepburn

GEMINI

Month- May

Symbol- Twins- Book with more than one title

Element - Air-cover is 70% white

NA Zodiac: Deer- set in Scotland/Scottish author


Stone- Agate- Face in profile on the cover


Vixen: A Nameless Detective Novel
Bill Pronzini
Pages:221 p.
Date read:19/2/2018
Rating: 2 stars

Superhero Copycat- dystopian genre on main page /set in future
Round 2
City Of Illusions Ursula K. Le Guin
Pages:199 p. Read:20/2/2018 Rating: 4 stars

Actor- Johnny Depp

CANCER

Month- June

Symbol- Crab- King/Rock/Snow/Blue in title

Shades of Blue
Bill Moody
Pages: 273 p.
Date read:23/2/2018*rating:3 stars


Element - Water- Cover is 70% Blue
XO: A Kathryn Dance Novel Jeffery Deaver
Pqges: 512 o. Date read:19/2/2018 Rating:4 stars

NA Zodiac: Woodpecker- Set in South America/South American author

Stone- Rose Quartz- Rose(s) on cover/75% pink in color-

Superhero- Sandman- Horror on the main page

Actor-Meryl Streep

LEO

Month- July

Symbol- Lion- set entirely in Africa

Element - Fire- significant amount of fire on cover

NA Zodiac: Salmon- set in Pacific Northwest Canada or US

Stone- Carnelian- set in Ancient Egypt

Superhero Kraven the Hunter- main character is over 60 years old
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Agatha Christie
Pages: 215 p. Date read: 22/2/2018 Rating: 3 stars
Miss Marple

Actor-Sean Penn

VIRGO

Month- August

Symbol- Maiden- girl or young woman under age of 20 and unmarried

Element - Earth- cover with earth-like planet

NA Zodiac: Bear- set in Russia/Russian author

Stone- Amethyst- main character is king/queen/prince(ss)

Superhero- Rogue- Bird(s) on the cover/Raven(s) in title

Een vlaag van waanzin
Corine Hartman
Pages: 288 p.
Date read: 18/2/2018
Rating:3 stars
How it fits: bird on the cover

Actor-Anne Meara

LIBRA

Month- September

Symbol- Scales- Legal thriller listopia
https://www.goodreads.com/genres/lega...

Element - Air- cover with signicant clouds
Cymbeline William Shakespeare
Pages:324 p. Date read:26/2/2018 Rating: 4 stars

NA Zodiac: set in New Zealand/ NZ author

Stone- Azurite- set in Renaissance from 1400-1700

Superhero- Judge Dredd- set between 1977 and 2000

Actor- Viggo Mortenson

SCORPIO

Month- October

Symbol- Scorpion- Poison in title/name of poison in title/bottle of poison on cover

Element
- Water- cover with significant amount of water
Night Swim

Jessica Keener
Pages: 284 p.
Date read: 20/2/2018
Rating:3 stars


NA Zodiac: Snake- Set in Australia/author

Stone- Copper- cover with metal weapon/tool

Superhero- Anti-Venom- Stand-alone book in science fiction genre on main page

Actor-Jodie Foster

SAGITTARIUS

Month- November

Symbol- Archer- Native American culture/author

Element - Fire- fire in the title-exact word

NA Zodiac: Owl- set in Greece or Crete/ Greek author

Stone- Obsidian- set in Hawaii

Superhero- Hawkeye- new release in 2018, never previously
published
Het Kwaad In Ons Corine Hartman
Pages: 288p. Date read:16/2/2018 Rating 3 stars
First published 14/2/2018

Actor- Ralph Fiennes

CAPRICORN

Month- December

Symbol- Goat- shelved as Scandinavian literature https://www.goodreads.com/genres/scan...

Element - Earth- earth in title- exact word

NA Zodiac: Snow Goose- set in KS, NM, TX or Mexico
Weddings Can Be Murder Connie Shelton
296 p. Read: 27/2/2018 Rating:3 stars
Stone- Quartz- time-travel on main page

Superhero- Cannonball- about Civil War or Napoleonic War

Actor-Sissy Spacek

AQUARIUS

Month- January

Symbol
Water-bearer- cover has urn, jug, glasses, cup, etc. for holding water
Three Act Tragedy

Agatha Christie
Pages: 275 p.
Read:21/2/2018
Rating:3 stars
Glass on cover

Element- Air- air in title- exact word

NA Zodiac: Otter- set in Switzerland or the Netherlands / Swiss or Dutch author
Rendezvous Esther Verhoef
Pages: 353 p. Date read: 17/2/2018 Rating: 2 stars
Dutch author

Stone- Turquoise - main theme is magic

Superhero- Aquaman- Atlantis or Poseidon in title

Actor- John Hurt-

PISCES

Month- February

Symbol- Fish- set near lake or river/ Lake or river in title/author's name - exact word
Wilde Lake Laura Lippman
368 p. Read: 3/3/2018 3 stars
Element - Water- water in title- exact word

NA Zodiac: Wolf- set in Alberta, Montana, Idaho or Wyoming

Stone- Jade- set in China

Superhero- Siren- siren, mermaid, nymph in title

Actor-Glenn Close

Good luck Claire!

Great to see you jumping right in Claire!

I'm glad you're going to join in the fun as well, Claire. I will add your link to the "quick access" thread.

Welcome to the challenge, Claire!

Thank you all for the nice welcome!

Round 1

ARIES
NA Zodiac: Falcon- set in Iraq, Syria or Turkey
Spoils Brian Van Reet
Pages:272 p. Date read:23/2/2018 Rating:3 stars
Set in Iraq

TAURUS

Stone- Jasper- Illness is a major theme
My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult
448 p. Read 1/3/2018 Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: this book is about a cancer patient

GEMINI
Stone- Agate- Face in profile on the cover
Vixen: A Nameless Detective Novel
Bill Pronzini
Pages:221 p.
Date read:19/2/2018
Rating: 2 stars

CANCER

Element - Water: the Cover is 70% Blue
XO: A Kathryn Dance Novel Jeffery Deaver
Pqges: 512 o. Date read:19/2/2018 Rating:4 stars
How it fits: the cover is more than 70 % blue, verified with tineye



LEO

Superhero Kraven the Hunter- main character is over 60 years old
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Agatha Christie
Pages: 215 p. Date read: 22/2/2018 Rating: 3 stars
Miss Marple Is over 60 years


VIRGO
Superhero- Rogue- Bird(s) on the cover/Raven(s) in title

Een vlaag van waanzin
Corine Hartman
Pages: 288 p.
Date read: 18/2/2018
Rating:3 stars
How it fits: bird on the cover

LIBRA

Element - Air- cover with signicant clouds
Cymbeline William Shakespeare
Pages:324 p. Date read:26/2/2018 Rating: 4 stars

SCORPIO

Element
- Water- cover with significant amount of water
Night Swim

Jessica Keener
Pages: 284 p.
Date read: 20/2/2018
Rating:3 stars

SAGITARIUS

Superhero- Hawkeye- new release in 2018, never previously
published
Het Kwaad In Ons Corine Hartman
Pages: 288p. Date read:16/2/2018 Rating 3 stars
First published 14/2/2018

CAPRICORN
NA Zodiac: Snow Goose- set in KS, NM, TX or Mexico
Weddings Can Be Murder Connie Shelton
296 p. Read: 27/2/2018 Rating:3 stars

AQUARIUS

NA Zodiac: Otter- set in Switzerland or the Netherlands / Swiss or Dutch author
Rendezvous Esther Verhoef
Pages: 353 p. Date read: 17/2/2018 Rating: 2 stars

PISCES

Symbol- Fish- set near lake or river/ Lake or river in title/author's name - exact word
Wilde Lake Laura Lippman
368 p. Read: 3/3/2018 3 stars
Element - Water- water in title- exact word



10/ 12

Round 2

GEMINI

Superhero Copycat- dystopian genre on main page /set in future
Round 2
City Of Illusions Ursula K. Le Guin
Pages:199 p. Read:20/2/2018 Rating: 4 stars

CANCER

Symbol- Crab- King/Rock/Snow/Blue in title

Shades of Blue
Bill Moody
Pages: 273 p.
Date read:23/2/2018*rating:3 stars

AQUARIUS

Water-bearer- cover has urn, jug, glasses, cup, etc. for holding water
Three Act Tragedy

Agatha Christie
Pages: 275 p.
Read:21/2/2018
Rating:3 stars
Glass on cover

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7.

Each finished book is to be reported in it's own thread. The reporting rules are message #2 of the official challenge thread. You'll also note that reserving messages in order to report futures books will not work. The reason behind that is that edited messages do not generate a notification and I will never see your reported book. Other's won't either. We're all snoopy and like to comment on the books you read.

Sorry, I'm going to send you back to the drawing board, please separate your first three books into individual messages. You may want to delete your reserved messages unless you have other plans for them.

Janice wrote: "Each finished book is to be reported in it's own thread. The reporting rules are message #2 of the official challenge thread. You'll also note that reserving messages in order to report futures boo..."

Actually, I did not meant it for reporting books. I wanted to find a way to keep a good track for myself. I was planning on posting the books, but gotdistracted by real life. Sorry about that:-(

Badge 1
Book 1

Round 1
VIRGO
Superhero- Virgo – Rogue
- One of Rogue’s aliases is Anna Raven. Read a book with bird(s) on the cover OR the word “Raven” is in the title. Plurals are accepted.


Een vlaag van waanzin
Corine Hartman
Pages: 288 p.
Date read: 18/2/2018
Rating:3 stars
How it fits: bird on the cover

Badge 1 Book 2

SAGITARIUS

Superhero- - Sagittarius – Hawkeye
- Hawkeye will be in two new movies in 2018 – Avengers: Infinity War, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Read a new release in 2018, never previously published.
Het Kwaad In Ons Corine Hartman
Pages: 288p. Date read:16/2/2018 Rating 3 stars
First published 14/2/2018

Claire wrote: "Janice wrote: "Each finished book is to be reported in it's own thread. The reporting rules are message #2 of the official challenge thread. You'll also note that reserving messages in order to rep..."

I understand now. :) Yes, by all means you can keep track of your books like that. I have something similar in my thread. I know understand what you mean by Round 1, 2, 3, etc.

Congrats on finishing your first book! You are on the scoreboard. :)

Badge 1 book 3

AQUARIUS

North American Zodiac The Sea Otter is probably the most widely known otter with their cute antics. The European Otter is less well known and are found, needless to say, in Europe. Unfortunately, the population has been wiped out of Switzerland and the Netherlands years ago. Read a book set primarily in Switzerland or the Netherlands, or by Swiss or Dutch authors. : Otter- set in Switzerland or the Netherlands / Swiss or Dutch author
Rendezvous Esther Verhoef
Pages: 353 p. Date read: 17/2/2018 Rating: 2 stars

How it fits: The author is Dutch

Badge 1 book 4

CANCER

Element - Water: the Cover is 70% Blue
XO: A Kathryn Dance Novel Jeffery Deaver
Pqges: 512 o. Date read:19/2/2018 Rating:4 stars

How it fits: the cover is more than 70 % blue, verified with tineye

Badge 1 book 5

GEMINI

Stone- Agate- Face in profile on the cover


Vixen: A Nameless Detective Novel
Bill Pronzini
Pages:221 p.
Date read:19/2/2018
Rating: 2 stars

Wow you are making up for lost time Claire :-)

Badge 1 book 6

ARIES

NA Zodiac: Falcon- set in Iraq, Syria or Turkey
Spoils Brian Van Reet
Pages:272 p. Date read:23/2/2018 Rating:3 stars
Set in Iraq

Badge 1 book 7

LEO

Superhero Kraven the Hunter- main character is over 60 years old
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side
Agatha Christie
Pages: 215 p. Date read: 22/2/2018 Rating: 3 stars

Badge 1 book 8

Element
- Water- cover with significant amount of water
Night Swim

Jessica Keener
Pages: 284 p.
Date read: 20/2/2018
Rating:3 stars

Badge 1, book 9

TAURUS

Stone- Jasper- Illness is a major theme
My Sister's Keeper Jodi Picoult
448 p. Read 1/3/2018 Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: this book is about a cancer patient

Badge 1 book 10

PISCES

Symbol- Fish- set near lake or river/ Lake or river in title/author's name - exact word
Wilde Lake Laura Lippman
368 p. Read: 3/3/2018 3 stars

Badge 1 book 11

LIBRA

Element - Air- cover with signicant clouds
Cymbeline William Shakespeare
Pages:324 p. Date read:26/2/2018 Rating: 4 stars

You're pushing through! Just one more book, and you will have completed the challenge!

Badge 1 book 12
CAPRICORN
NA Zodiac: Snow Goose- set in KS, NM, TX or Mexico
Weddings Can Be Murder Connie Shelton
296 p. Read: 27/2/2018 Rating:3 stars
The book is set in New Mexico

Janice wrote: "You're pushing through! Just one more book, and you will have completed the challenge!"

Thanks for the encouragement!

Way to go Claire!

Awesome job, Claire! Congrats.

Congratulations, Claire!